The Outer Rim Territories, simply known as the Outer Rim and alternatively called the Outer Rim Systems, were located outside the Mid Rim. The Outer Rim was the least widely settled and explored expanse of the galaxy before Wild Space and the Unknown Regions. The largest region in the galaxy, it was strewn with diverse worlds, and rugged, primitive frontier planets.

The earliest known symbol of the Galactic Republic, dominant government of this period

Circa 25,000 BBY, the discovery of the Perlemian Trade Route linked the growing Republic with the Outer Rim world of Ossus, which became the domain of the Jedi Order over the subsequent millennia. Eventually, the Republic began colonizing hundreds of other worlds within the area of Ossus. While the Republic continued to expand in the Core Worlds and the Colonies, Ossus became a fortress world blocking Tionese and Hutt expansion into the Perlemian.[1]

In 24,000 BBY, war broke out between the Republic and the Union, spreading to both sides of the Perlemian. The Republic won by turning the Hutts against the Tionese, ending the Union's existence as an independent state and paving the way for galactic domination by the Core-based Republic.[1] By 23,900 BBY, the worlds of the former Honorable Union had all joined the Republic as a means of protection against the Hutts with the exception of Desevro which remained proudly isolationist.[6]

In 12,000 BBY, the Republic came under the influence of the theocratic and humanocentricPius Dea sect which posited Contispex I as Supreme Chancellor.[1][7] Taking advantage of the unpopularity of the Hutts among the Republic's citizens, Constipex sanctioned a crusade against the Hutts.[7] Over the following centuries, his descendants sanctioned several crusades against some rival alien sects in the Outer Rim which fought back, leaving the galaxy in a never-ending state of alternating hot and cold wars.[7] Though Pius Dea rule came to an end in 11,000 BBY, the repercussions of these crusades would sour relations between the Core and the Outer Rim over the millennia.[1]

Around 10,000 BBY, Vall Kumauri established the short-lived Kumauri Empire in the remote frontier areas of the Outer Rim.[8] At its height, the Kumauri Empire included more than thirty star systems. Eventually, the Republic gained the upper hand in the conflict and re-conquered all the territory he had seized. Kumauri's legacy would live on in the tradition of warship design that culminated in the Cal-class battleship.[8]

In 4800 BBY, the spiceryll was discovered on the Outer Rim world of Ryloth, home of the humanoidTwi'lek species. However, the Neimoidians seized exclusive distribution rights to the spice and sold them to the newly discovered Porporite species. Unfortunately, the spice drove them into a homicidal frenzy. Terrified, the Neimoidians hired several Gank mercenaries to protect them. Instead, the Ganks exterminated the Porporites and then embarked on a full-scale war against the Republic, but were eventually put down by the Jedi.[1] Around 4000 BBY, the Mon Calamari and Quarren species of watery Dac were discovered though its inhabitants had already been exploring nearby star systems for several years.[12]

During the Old Republic era, the Outer Rim had several remote, scarcely populated planets that included expensive resort worlds for rich tourists, ruined settlements and, it was rumored, hideouts for the Black Sun, the Hutts and several outlaws. The Outer Rim Oreworks corporation used its exploratory branch to search useful planets that the corporation could settle and exploit.[13]

In 3963 BBY, the Mandalorians invaded the Galactic Republic proper, forcing the Republic to enter the war. In defiance of the Jedi Council, the Jedi KnightsRevan and Malak led the Republic Navy in a fierce counter-offensive against the Neo-Crusaders, winning key battles at Taris, Jaga's Cluster and Althir. During the cataclysmic battle of Malachor V, much of the Mandalorian fleet was destroyed and the planet was fractured to the core. Defeated, the Mandalorians capitulated and destroyed their weapons and armor.

In 3960 BBY, during the Jedi Civil War, Telos IV was devastated by a Sith fleet under the command of the renegade Jedi-turned-Sith Lord Malak and former Republic AdmiralSaul Karath.[2] Later, in 3956 BBY, Sith forces leveled the surface of Taris, destroying the world-spanning city and killing billions.[2] By 3950 BBY, much of the Rim had fallen into chaos as a result of infighting amongst the various surviving Sith warlords. Thus, the Republic was able to reclaim much of the Rim that had been under Sith control since the Great Sith War.[1]

In 3700 BBY, the female pioneer Freia Kallea discovered a new hyperspace route which became known as the Hydian Way.[15] Spanning the width of the galaxy, the Hydian Way ran from the Outer Rim world of Bonadan and continued through the Core Worlds to Eriadu on the other side. The Hydian helped open up much of the galaxy beyond the region known as the Slice, fundamentally altering the scale of galactic civilization.[1][4] As a result, the Republic established new colonies in the Mid Rim and Outer Rim Territories.[1][4]

By 3653 BBY, the Republic had been driven back to the Core Worlds, leaving the Sith in control of much of the Rim.[11] Following the Sacking of Coruscant, the Republic was forced to give up many outlying systems to the Sith in the punitive Treaty of Coruscant.[11] The end of the Great War set the stage for a Cold War between the Sith Empire and the Republic in the years that followed. This cold war saw a number of border skirmishes and proxy wars, pushing the two superpowers to the brink of another war.[11]

During this time, Mandalorian armor and weaponry was mysteriously seen in the hands of Outer Rim pirates. Eventually, someone was assigned to discover the source of the materials.[16]

In 2000 BBY, the Republic once more faced the menace of the Sith in the New Sith.[1] Over the centuries, the Republic continuously fought various Sith factions across the galaxy including the Rim. The losses for the Republic were so catastrophic that a dark age began in 1100 BBY, with widespread social unrest and economic collapse. The collapse of the HoloNet and interstellar commerce precipitated a breakdown in communication and trade between the Core and the Rim.[1]

The Republic itself shrank to a mere rump state surrounding the Core Worlds, with the Sith Empire encompassing virtually the rest of the entire galaxy. The Jedi took over absolute authority, ruling the remainder of the Republic directly. In 1000 BBY, the Sith were finally defeated at Ruusan in the Mid Rim although much of the galaxy was left scarred and devastated by the attrition warfare.[1]

Tensions still lingered between inhabitants of the Outer Rim and the Core Worlds due to the former's perceived exploitation by the latter, as in the case of Apatros which was controlled by the Outer Rim Oreworks company.[17] Both the Republic and the Sith sought to exploit the labor and resources of many Rimward worlds.[17] Taking advantage of regional tensions, the Sith enticed many Rim inhabitants into their military forces and the Sith order.[17]

Under the Ruusan Reformation instituted by Supreme ChancellorTarsus Valorum in 1000 BBY, many Outer Rim systems and sectors benefited from the Republic granting greater administrative power to local and sector governments.[1] With the demobilization of the Republic Military in favor of smaller Judicial Forces, many Outer Rim governments, such as that of Utapau, developed their own local defense forces.[18] Over the centuries, much of the galaxy including the Outer Rim presumably recovered from the Sith Wars. Still, the region was considered remote and undeveloped by the Core-based government.[1]

Around 702 BBY, the Grissmath Dynasty ruled the Meridian sector. The dynasty exiled dissidents to Nam Chorios and attempted to exterminate prisoners by seeding the planet with the Death Seed plague.[19] However, they survived and their descendants would become known as Oldtimers.[19] At an unknown date, the capital Meridian was reduced to a charred radioactive ball as a result of orbital bombardment. Soon, the Grissmath Dynasty collapsed.[19]

In 490 BBY, a free-enterprise fiefdom known as the Corporate Sector was established in the Outer Rim, in the Tingel Arm region, to resolve differences between the Republic government and the various corporations and to establish a free trade zone. Over the following centuries, the sector became dominated entirely by various corporate interests including Kuat Drive Yards, Cybot Galactica. The sector had its own government which remained outside the jurisdiction of the Coruscant government known as the Corporate Sector Authority.[1]

In 340 BBY, the Jedi training vessel Chu'unthor crashed on Dathomir.[20] A group of Jedi (including Yoda, Gra'aton, and Vulatan) were sent to attempt a rescue of the vessel's crew and passengers, but were stopped by the Witches of Dathomir.[20] However, after Yoda saved the life of a young witch named Rell, the two parties were able to come to a peaceful settlement. In 300 BBY, the Republic took over Lianna in the Tion Cluster from Barseg.[21]

Between 24 BBY to 22 BBY, dissatisfaction with the Republic for various reasons culminated in the Separatist Crisis. The Outer Rim, dissatisfied with their lack of representation in the Senate, and the disproportionate amount of economic or military attention they received, even during crises, made up a large portion of those who supported the Separatists. Under the leadership of former Jedi CountDooku, various worlds, corporations and factions across the galaxy seceded from the Republic. Many Outer Rim worlds including Geonosis, Muunilinst, Jabiim and Sullust joined the budding Confederacy of Independent Systems, offering their labor and resources to the Separatist cause.[1][29]

Meanwhile on Rafa IV, the activation of an ancient Sharu relic discovered by Lando Calrissian known as the Mindharp unleashed subharmonic emanations which started a reversal of social order in the Rafa system.[58] The Toka were restored as the legendary Sharu while the pyramids crumbled, with strange, new cities emerging. This also created an interdiction field which prevented hyperspace travel in and out of the system for weeks. Many of the Human settlements had also been destroyed, and the surviving settlers fled. Trade with the Rafa system also collapsed overnight.[4]

By 2 BBY, most of the Separatist holdouts in the Outer Rim had been absorbed into the newly formed Alliance to Restore the Republic, beginning the Galactic Civil War.[54] In 1 BBY, the Mon Calamari Resistance succeeded in wresting Dac from Imperial control.[4] However, that same year, Sriluur and Sulon were conquered by the Imperials.[15] Meanwhile, the Rebel Alliance launched an attack on Ylesia, disrupting the Besadii clan's spice mining operations and freeing the slaves.[60]

That same year, the saurian Ssi-ruuk launched an invasion of Bakura from the Unknown Regions but were repelled by the combined efforts of the local Imperial garrison and an Alliance task force under Skywalker.[22] Bakura subsequently joined the Alliance of Free Planets. During the brief Nagai–Tof War, the Nagai and Tof invaded Endor and Iskalon but were quickly defeated and retreated back into Wild Space.[1][15]

When news of the events on Endor reached the galactic public, hundreds of worlds predominantly in the Rimward territories joined the newly formed New Republic—the successor to the Alliance of Free Planets. With the deaths of Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader at Endor, the Imperial forces throughout the Rim were unable to put up an effective resistance against the New Republic.[4] Across the galaxy, the Galactic Empire fragmented into squabbling kingdoms ruled by local Imperial military commanders and Moffs who established themselves as independent warlords. AdmiralGaen Drommel established a dictatorship in the Oplovis sector while Grand MoffArdus Kaine created the Pentastar Alignment which dominated a large area of the Outer Rim. Meanwhile, Moff Getelles and Admiral Zsinj consolidated their control on the Antemeridian and Quelii sectors respectively.[1]

In the wake of Endor, the Corporate Sector's capitalistic regime attempted to remain neutral and sold products to both the New Republic and the Imperial warlords. The New Republic, however, was too burdened with establishing a new government to sign a long-lasting partnership with the corporate-minded fiefdom—especially since some in the New Republic considered the Corporate Sector Authority to be just as bad as the Empire.

By 7 ABY, the New Republic's successes in securing the Outer and Mid Rim territories allowed the Republic to secure several key worlds in the Colonies and Core Worlds including Borleias and the galactic capital Coruscant itself. With the defeat of warlord Isard in the Bacta War which embroiled the Inner Rim, Republic forces were able to turn their attentions to warlord Zsinj's territorial ambitions in the Outer Rim. By now, Zsinj was embroiled in war against both the Republic and rival Imperial factions. During the Battle of Ession, Alliance forces under Wedge Antilles scored an important victory against the warlord's forces. During the Battle of Selaggis, however, Zsinj tricked Republic forces under Han Solo into believing that his flagship Iron Fist had been destroyed.[1]

In 8 ABY, Zsinj unleashed his orbital nightcloak satellites on Dathomir in retaliation for the Nightsisters' failure to destroy the Singing Mountain Clan. However, the warlord was defeated in the succeeding Battle of Dathomir by a joined Republic and Hapan fleet under General Solo. With the acquisition of captured Star Destroyers supplied by the Hapes Consortium, New Republic forces under Admiral Ackbar were dispatched to the Outer Rim to finish off the scattered remnants of Zsinj's forces. Unfortunately, midway they were intercepted by Mid Rim warlord Treuten Teradoc who inflicted heavy casualties on the New Republic fleet, forcing a retreat to the Hast Shipyards. By the end of the standard year, the Republic controlled three-quarters of the known galaxy including large areas of the Outer Rim. The Outer Rim worlds of Dac, Sullust and Sluis Van became prominent member worlds of the New Republic within the region.[1]

Despite his death, the New Republic had lost a third of its territory to Thrawn's Imperial forces especially in the Rimward territories. The Republic was forced to move its forces further into the Outer Rim away from the strategically important Core Worlds. Taking advantage of this, the clone incarnation of Emperor Palpatine launched a second offensive from his stronghold in the Deep Core in 10 ABY. Several key Core Worlds including the capital Coruscant were recaptured and the New Republic was forced to evacuate to Da Soocha V in the Outer Rim.[1]

Shortly afterward, Imperial forces attacked several New Republic worlds in the Borderland Regions and the shipyard world of Dac with World Devastators to punish the native Mon Calamari and Quarren for their resistance to the Empire. Due to the efforts of Skywalker and R2-D2, the Devastators were defeated.[64] In a second skirmish over Pinnacle Moon, Palpatine's flagship Eclipse was destroyed. In retaliation, he destroyed Pinnacle Moon itself with a projectile from the Galaxy Gun.[1] The Emperor continued to launch more projectiles, destroying unruly worlds and nearly crippling the New Republic. As a result, the Empire quickly regained key territories in the Outer Rim. However, this victory was short-lived as Palpatine's spirit was finally destroyed during a showdown on Onderon. By 11 ABY, the Galactic Empire had yet again descended into infighting amongst the Warlords and high military officers.[4]

Meanwhile, New Republic attempts in the forms of Han Solo and Chewbacca to establish contact with Kessel were met with failure. The duo only succeeded in rescuing the Force-sensitive Kyp Durron from slavery. Fleeing into hyperspace, the former Rebels stumbled upon an isolated Imperial research base known as the Maw Installation. There, they encountered Admiral Natasi Daala—one of the few high-ranking female Imperial military officers and a protégé of the late Grand Moff Tarkin. During an escape attempt, the companions made off with an experimental Imperial superweapon the Sun Crusher, capable of destroying entire stars with a projectile. Shortly afterward, New Republic forces launched a successful attack on the Maw Installation, destroying both the Sun Crusher and the Death Star prototype and forcing Daala to retreat. Daala's surviving Imperial forces fled to the Deep Core and succeeded in unifying the Imperial forces there.[1]

Following Daala's defeat at Yavin IV, Daala retired and was succeeded as Supreme Commander by Admiral Pellaeon —Thrawn's second-in-command. Under Pellaeon, the Imperial Remnant began harassing Republic shipping in the Outer Rim and consolidated Imperial control over that region and the neighboring Mid Rim and Wild Space. The Imperial Remnant also annexed Kaine's Pentastar Alignment.[1]

In 13 ABY, conflict broke out on Nam Chorios between the "Oldtimers" and the more recent group "Newcomers." During a diplomatic mission to Chorios, Chief of State Leia Organa Solo was kidnapped by former Republic senator Seti Ashgad. Ashgad planned to unleash a deadly infection of drochs throughout the Meridian sector called the Death Seed plague as part of a deal with Moff Getelles and the Loronar Corporation. However, their efforts were thwarted by the combined efforts of the Skywalkers, Solo, Calrissian and Daala.[4] Later, Skywalker was able to negotiate and establish contact with the native crystalline Tsils who agreed to help eliminate the drochs within the sector. Meanwhile, the New Republic dispatched two full fleets and invaded the Antemeridian sector. Getelles proved unable to stop them and the sector, along with much of neighboring space was captured by the Republic before Pellaeon halted their advance.[4]

In 14 ABY, Chief of State Organa Solo embarked on a diplomatic tour of several Rimward worlds with her three children Jaina, Jacen and Anakin Solo. At Munto Codru, the children were kidnapped by agents of the Empire Reborn. Their leader Dark JediHethrir attempted to indoctrinate the Solo children and planned to sacrifice Anakin to the demonic Waru at Crseih Station. However, the Empire Reborn was defeated during a confrontation and the Crseih system was destroyed in the resulting supernova.[57]

With the defeat of the Empire Reborn, the Republic freed and repatriated many of Hethrir's former slaves including the kidnapped children on the WorldcraftRebirth and the imprisoned passengers aboard Hethrir's passenger freighters.[57] At an unknown period prior to 17 ABY, former Jedi cadet Dolph overthrew the tyrannical Je'har regime on his homeworld of Almania. Having turned to the dark side he adopted the pseudonym Kueller and established a military junta which attempted to overthrow the Republic in 17 ABY.[4] He used rigged bombs to exterminate the populations of Pydyr and Auyemesh and then attempted to overthrow the New Republic through a mixture of subversion and terrorist attacks. After the defeat of Kueller, Alania came under the control of his chief lieutenant, Yanne, who opened diplomatic talks with the New Republic. However, Yanne was soon overthrown by Gant, who in turn was overthrown by an unstable military junta. As a result Almania remained impoverished and was never able to join the New Republic.[4]

After attrition warfighting, the New Republic destroyed the Praetorite Vong base on Helska IV which hampered the Yuuzhan Vong war effort by two months. However, the Coruscant government underestimated the Yuuzhan Vong and was reluctant to commit resources to the Outer Rim. In a swift blitzkrieg, the invaders seized a string of worlds including Dubrillion, Destrillion, Dantooine,[68] Artorias, Rychel, New Holgha and Garqi. Billions of sentients were displaced resulting in a massive refugee problem.[1]

In 29 ABY, the Yuuzhan Vong launched an ill-fated final offensive against Dac which the Alliance took advantage of to launch a counter-attack on Coruscant, recapturing it after prolonged fighting. The Alliance unleashed the Alpha Red bioweapon on Caluula which eliminated the Yuuzhan Vong garrison but then mutated and destroyed the planet’s biosphere.[74] With the end of the war, the Outer Rim returned to the control of the Galactic Alliance while the Hutts reasserted control over their region of space. However, little central government existed in the region while the slave-trading Senex and Juvex sectors encouraged the immigration of refugees.[15]

In 127 ABY, Darth Krayt's resurgent One Sith order collaborated with the Yuuzhan Vong pariah Zenoc Quah to sabotage the Ossus Project—a joint initiative by the Jedi and the Yuuzhan Vong to terraform several devastated worlds as a peaceful gesture. This action stirred anti-Vong sentiment which the Fel Empire—the successor state to the Imperial Remnant—took advantage of to invoke war on the Alliance. By 130 ABY, the Alliance had capitulated and the Imperials seized Coruscant. However, Krayt toppled the ruling Roan Fel and re-established the Empire as his own Sith Empire.

The Sith retaliated with a genocide targeting the Mon Calamari species. After several setbacks, Darth Wyyrlok initiated the Final Protocol which authorized the poisoning of Dac's oceans with toxins crafted by Sith scientist Vul Isen. The toxins killed all life within the ocean world within days, prompting the Alliance and Imperials to pool their resources into organizing a mass evacuation. They succeed in evacuating 20% of the planet's population including billions of Mon Calamari, Quarren, Whaladons and Moappa but Dac was rendered uninhabitable.

Due to its distance from the Core Worlds, the influence of any galactic region was profoundly limited throughout the Outer Rim. As a consequence, communications and law enforcement in the region were limited and the various institutions of galactic civilization were little more than concepts.[15] Various crime and atrocities went unnoticed particularly in Hutt Space, the Juvex and Senex sectors, and the Kanz sector during the Kanz Disorders. Throughout the history of the Galactic Republic, central control was limited and much of this was lost during the New Sith Wars.[15]

The Clone Wars provided the opportunity for the Republic and its successor state the Galactic Empire to re-establish central albeit militarized control over the region. Throughout the Galactic Civil War, central government faltered at alternating intervals due to the fighting between Imperial forces and the New Republic. What little remained collapsed during the devastating Yuuzhan Vong War and efforts to re-establish it was hampered by the Second Galactic Civil War. Thus, much of the region was left to its own devices.[15]

In the first and second drafts of the Star Wars script, the Outer Rim was called the Outlands, and stretched from "the celestial equator to the farthest reaches of the Great Rift." It was the center of resistance to the Empire.